Flexible band, chain or linkage



C. H. KESTENMAN FLEXBLE BAND, CHAIN, OR LINKAGE Filed Feb. l5, 1929 Sept. 15, 1931.

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Patented Sept. 15, 1931 'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES I-I. KESTENMAN, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR T IKESIFN- l MAN BROS. MFG. C0., OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, A CORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND FLEXIBLE BAND, CHAIN OR LINKAGE Application led February 15, 1929.

wherein the articulated link-elements are flexibly connected by means enclosed therein so that the mechanical structure is concealed from view and protected from disorganization.

Another object of the invention is to pro- 0 vide a construction of the type specified hav-- ing the articulated link-elements flexibly joined together without the use of pins, rivets,

screws or the like, and without requiring soldering at the joints.

Another object of the invention is to provide an article of the type specilied which may be constructed from sheet-metal parts struck up in dies and capable of being rapidly assembled without particular skill or expertness on the part of the Workman and without the use of tools. .flnother objectl of the invention is to provide a construction of the type specified in which the link-elements are assembled in articulated relation by simply inserting the connecting means therein, and wherein the connecting-members are automatically interenga ged and interlocked to permanently hold the parts in coupled relation by means at the ends of the band, chain or linkage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction of the type specified in which the connecting-members are adapted to be unlocked to disconnect the links to provide for altering the length of the bracelet.

Another object of the invention is to provide an article of the type specified adapted for economical manufacture and having a stronger and more durable structure.

Further objects of the improvement are set Serial No. 340,227.

forth in the following specification which describes several preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: c.,

Fig. l is a perspective view illustrating the' improved construction as embodied in a flexible band, chain or linkage adapted for use as a wrist-Watch strap or bracelet;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View of a portion of the band or linkage showing certain of the' link-elements in section to illustrate the arrangement of the interengaging connectingmembers and the end element for locking them in place; M

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the method of inserting the connecting-members into the hollow link-elements;

Fig. 4 is an edge view of a section of the band, chain or linkage shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional viewof'"2 the end portion ofthe band, chain or linkage, taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the connecting-members Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the endif member or claspemployed for connecting tlp band to the bails of a wrist-watch or the li e;

Fig. 8 is a plan view similar to Fig. 2,` showing a modified form of construction of-` the article;

Fig. 9 is a sectional plan view showing a modified form of the locking means for holding the series of connecting-members in placer in the links; and

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the same taken on line lO-lO of Fig. 9.

The present invention consists in general in providing a novel and improved construction of connecting-means for joining the link-elements of flexible bands, chains and linkages without the use of pins, rivets, screws or other mechanical parts of a like nature. In the present embodiment, the finished article consists in a flexible band, chain or linkage adapted for use as a wrist-watch strap or bracelet in accordance with a prevailing style, and also capable of being used for other purposes, for instance, as a necklace, arm-band, anklet,.girdle, watch-guard or similar article of jewelry and adornment.

As herein shown, the band or linkage is of the fiat strap type comprising a series of relatively narrow hollow link-elements 2 extending transversely of the band and closely coupled together to permit lexure of the article as a whole. In other cases, however, the link-elements 2 may be of different outline and contour, for instance, of cylindrical 'shape instead of rect-angular in cross-section.

tively flat bifurcated members 6 of substantially hairpin shape.

The members 6 may be punched out in dies from suitable sheetmetal stock and a pair of members are employed for each connection, one member being reversed in position with relation to the .other when they are inserted into the linkelements2. Each of the members 6 is formed with a pair of oppositelegs S and 9, connected by an .end-piece 7, and adapted to straddle the sides of two adjacent link-elements 2 when they are inserted into the o-pposite ends thereof as shown in Figs. .2 and 8. One leg 9 of the member 6 is made slightly longer than the other leg 8 and is provided at its end with a. laterally projecting lug or abutment 10 adapted to interlock with the shorter leg 8 of the next connecting-member in the series. That is to say, as the members 6 are inserted into the opposite ends of the link-elements 2 in the manner as shown in Fig. 2 their lateral edges will abut and thev lug 10 on the longer leg 9 of the first element will extend across and interlock with 4the end of the short leg 8 on the next connectingmember in the series. When the connectingmembers 6 are inserted in place in the linkelements 2 in this manner their end-pieces 7 will aline in close relation along the marginal edges of the band or linkage vas shown most clearly in Fig. 1. In other instances, however, the end-pieces 7 may be let into the ends of the link-elements 2so that their edges will be flush with the marginal edges of the band as shown in Fig. 8 and hereinafter more particularly described.

In assembling the parts t0l form the band,

chai-n -or linkage, the tubular link-elements 2V are Varranged side by side 1n series and the` connecting-members '6 inserted into their ends with the abutments or lugs 10 on their longer legs 9 both on the same side and in v a :gap is lett between the ends of the short legs 8.0i the members-6 and the lugs on the long legs 9 of the pair previously inserted project into this gapk and interlock with the short legs of the next succeeding pair of members 6 in the series. It will therefore be observed that as the link-elements 2 are connected in assembled relation, starting at the left as viewed in Fig. 2, each pair of connecting-members 6 inserted will interlock with the previously inserted pair of members to hold them in place. the band, chain vor linkage have been assembled in this manner to obtain the required length, means are applied to lock the last applied or endmost members 6 in place, whereby all of the interlocking connecting-members will be held against withdrawal from the ends of the link-elements 2.

Any suitable means may be provided for permanently securing the endmost pair of connecting-members 6 in place and two different forms of construction are illustrated in the pres-ent drawings. As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the two opposite connectingmembers 6 of the endmost pair are Vheld in place by a loop-like strap or band 12 constructed of relatively thin sheet-metal and normally held in position enclosing a portion of the end-clasp or connector' 15. rihe endclasp or connector 15 may be of any suitable construction as usually employed for attac-hing the ends ot the strap to ythe bails orn the wrist-watch, or it may be in the form of a catch or clasp for fastening the free ends of the bracelet together.

its shown in Figs. V5 and 7, the end-member for clasp 15 is provided with a box-like portion 16 similar in form to the tubular linkelements .2. Preferably, the length of the box or, more properly, the width of the inember 15,- corresponds to the whole width of the strap or band, and its side wall 17 is -cut away .at the ends to provide notches or openings 18 for receiving the end-.pieces 7 of the connecting-members 6, see Fig. 7. The opposite side of .the box may be left open and the metal from the top strip 19 extended in a- .hook 20 of substantially cylindrical shape in 'cross-section. The hook 20 may be used as va clasp, er in other cases it may receive the cylindrical barrel .2l of a cross-inember having pins or pintles 22 Aat its ends which .snap into holes in the lugs or projections on the sides of the watch as is a usual practice. The barrel 21 of the cross-member contains a spring 23 which bears against the enlarged ends of the p'intles 22, thereby tending to 'force-them outwardly from the sides of the .clasp as shown in Fig. :2. In attaching the end-.member 15 to .thewatch the pintles are .pressed inwardly through rthe use of a knifeblade or some other sharp instrument to telescope themwithin `the barrel 21 whereby they may be snapped into the holes in the lugs on the wrist-watch.

.The narrow strap or band 12 previously Vhen the parts 'of -referred to, fits around the hollow box- -portion 16 of the clasp or end-inember 15 with its ends abutting the ends of the'two last connecting-members 6 of the series as illustrated most clearly in Figs. 1 and 2. Preferably, the ends of the strap member 12 are punched or indented to form round proi tuberances 24 on the inside, these protuberances being adapt-ed to engage over the sides of the two endmost connecting-members 6 as shown in Fig. 2, thereby holding the strap in place against the shoulders 25 at the ends of the hook 20, see Figs. 3 and 7. As an additional precaution, one side of the strap 12 may also be punched or indented to form f a protuberance 26 which snaps into a hole 27 onthe top strip 19 of the box portion 16 of the connector 15.

The locking-element or fastening-means for the connecting-members as above nescribed may be employed as a manually-adjustable device for releasing the connectingmenibers 6 when it is desired to disassenible the parts of the band for the purpose of altering its length. That is to say, this form of construction provides for uncoupling the endmembers from the strap, band or linkage whereby .one or more ofthe link-elements may be taken out to shorten the bracelet or others added to increase its length. To provide for this adjustment in the length of the bracelet the locking-element 12 is slid back into the position as illustrated in Fig. 3 so that the last pair of connecting-members 6 may be withdrawn from the end link 2. After theend-member 15 has been disconnected additional link-elements 2 may be inserted and the endmost one again connected to the clasp,

or in other instances the locking-element 12 may be slid back far enough to remove one or more of the link-elements 2. It will be understood that when the element 12 is slid back on the band its protuberances 24 will spring up over the ends of the connectingmembers 6 and its other projection 26 will be Y released from the hole 27 and when the ylocking-element 12 is slid back into place again j to encompass the hollow portion of the clasp 15 the protuberances 24 and26 will again snap into position to act as detents to hold the connecting-members 6 in place.

Fig. 8 of the drawings illustrates a modified form of construction in which the tubular link-elements 30 are of greater length to provide a wider strap, band or bracelet, and wherein the ends of the connecting-members 6 are arranged flush with the ends of the links. To provide for this the side walls 31 of the link-elements 30 are cut away at their ends to adapt them to receive the end-pieces 7 of the connecting-members 6. It will also be noted from this View that the opposite connecting-members 6 do not meet at the center. That is to say, they are shorter in proportion to the length of the tubular link-elements 30,

but nevertheless one element interlocks with the next one in the series in the same manner as where the ends of the long legs 9 of the connecting-members 6 abut as shown in Fig. 2. The same form of locking-element for the connecting-members 6 may be employed with this type of construction.

i Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings illustrate a `modified form of construction of the lockingmeans for holding the connecting-members 6 in place. In this modification the endmember or connector 32 has its sides cut away to form strips of metal 33 which are bent around to enclose and hold together the lateral lugs 10 on the last pair of connecting! members 6 in the series. ln this manner, the connecting-members 6 of the endmost pair are locked or anchored in position whereby they, in turn, will act against the lugs 10 in the next adjacent pair of connecting-members, and so on throughout the series so that all of the connecting-members are held in place by the anchoring of the endmost pair.

lt will be observed from the foregoing that the present invention provides a novel and ingenious construction for flexibly connecting the links of a strap, band, bracelet and structure and may be manufactured from tubular stock with no forming or other tool` operations required.

In assembling the parts of the band, chain or linkage it is only necessary to bring the tubular or hollow links into close association and then insert the connecting-mem! .members hold the previously inserted ones in place. 'The interengaging legs of the connecting-members hold the links in close: association while adapting them to rock or cant, one with respect to another, to provide for flexure of the articulated structure, and the parts may be permanently joined together by a locking or anchoring means at".

the end. It will thus be observed that no soldering is necessary and no skillful handwork 1s required, such as bending or forming the parts with pliers or other tools.

By employing a single means to anchor the end connecting-members, whereby all of these elements are held in place, the manual disconnection of the links is made more convenient so that the novice may vdisconnect .the parts to shorten the bracelet or tov insert' additional links to increase its length.

Theimproved structure is particularly strong and durable in use, with the interengaging connecting-members tending one to reinforce another, `and the finished articley is more artistic in appearanceV than similarI deviees of the prior art sincej lits mechanical structure is entirelyf covered and hiddenfrom View; Y

It. has been noted that thev form of the link-elements may bex changed without reference to the structure and arrangement of the connecting-members.` Various modifications may also be made in the ferm and construction of the connecting-members without departingV from the spirit or seope of the invention and, therefore,V without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

l. In a band, chain or linkage, the Combinationk of a. plurality of link-elements, means for connetting'said elements in articulated relation comprising bifurcated members inserted into adjoining links in straddled relation with portions thereof, said connetting-members eachliaving means engaging with the neXt connecting-member in the series, and means for locking certain of the connecting-members in place whereby said members aet one against another to hold the whole series of said members from withdrawal. i Y

2; In a band, chain or linkage, thecombination of adjacent link-elements having hollow portions, and means for connecting a plurality of said elements in articulated relation comprising bifurcated members adaptedl'for insertion into the hollow portions of two adjoining links-to straddle the opposite walls thereof, saidvconneeting-memi bers each having'a` portion adapted'to engage with the next connecting-member in the series, and means at the end of the linkage for locking the last pair of connectingmembers in place whereby each pair of eonnecting-members acts on the next pair in the series to hold them from withdrawal.

3L In a band, chain or linkage, the combination of a plurality of link-elements arranged in series, bifuroated connecting-members arranged in straddled relation with respect to'portions of adjoining links to connect them together, said bifurcated members interengaging one with another, and means for fastening the endmost connecting-members in position whereby said members aet one against another to retain the whole series of said members in place.

4'. An improved construction of band, chain or linkage Comprising a plurality of link- `elements arranged in series withl portions thereof' in adjoiningrelation, anda series of complementary' connecting-members ofY bifurcat'edy form each straddl'ing the adjoining portions of t-'wo link-elements to connect them together and arranged with one connectingmember interengaging with the neXt member ofthe series, andl means for securing the' end member ofthe series in position whereby said members act one against another* to retain all ofthe: connecting-members in place.

5. In a band, chain or linkage', the combination. of ai plurality of link-elements: arranged in series,.bifurcated connecting-members arranged to straddle portionsA of each two adjoining link-elements and interengaging one with another, elasping,` means at the Vend of the linkage, and means. on the clasp endmost pair of Connecting-members to holdl' them in position whereby said members act one against another'toretain all4 of the members in place, said loeking-mea-ns beingmanually operable torelease the conneeting-members to permit disconnection of the; link-ele# ments., f

7 In a device of the type specified, thecombination of a' plurality of link-elements arrangedv in series, bifurcated members engaging opposite portions of adjoining link-ele ments to Couple them together and arranged in interengagement one member with another,.an end-member at the end of the band, means on said end-member engaging thel endmost pair of connecting-mt-xmbers,J to lock".l them in position wherebyl said members act one against another to retainy all ofthe 'connecting-members inV place, said means adapted to; be moved to release the connectinglmembers to' permit disconnection of the" parts, and yieldable detent-means for holding the locking-means'in place.v

8. A flexible metal strap comprisinga series ofv relatively wide short links, a: series of Connecting elements inserted into said links;- from eithern side thereof,.eaeh element being provided with a projecting'tooth' adapted to enter an adjacent link, said'. element being retained in its link by the tooth of the element in the adjacent link, and means for retaining the last'element in plaee.`

In testimony whereof I hereuntol afii'x. my signature.

CHARLES f KESTEYMAN.u 

